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Tenant Education

Housing Codes

Eviction Prevention

Housing Resources

Tenancy

Tenancy

Good Tenant

Helpful tips for maintaining your unit:

  • Review lease to know what you as a tenant are responsible to upkeep 

  • Regularly check for water leaks 

  • Change air filters every 3 months 

  • Report repairs promptly  

  • Regularly clean to prevent excessive buildup of dirt, mold, etc.  

  • Use renter friendly renovations that can be removed to restore the unit to its original condition when moving out. 

  • Have some form of documentation in regard to payment of rent, fees, repairs, etc. 

  • Obtain renters insurance to protect your belongings in case of damage 

  • Do a self-inspection of unit upon moving in to note damages. use documentation to get back as much of a security deposit as possible (taking photos, reporting back to LL with notes, etc.) 

  • Keep record of conditions of walls, floors, carpets, cabinets, etc. to help establish a timeline of “normal wear & tear”. 

Good Neighbor

  • Be respectful of quiet hours 

  • Don’t play excessively loud music  

  • Maintain the outside of your unit to be neat and orderly  

  • Be mindful of potential upstairs/downstairs neighbors 

  • Do not store trash/broken furniture in or block common walkways 

Lease Education

Leases are legally binding documents. In being so, it is important that you know what you are signing. The terms outlined in this document dictate what you as a leasee are responsible for during the contract term. It also outlines important terms in which a landlord can enter your home and what to do in an emergency.

 

Helpful things to look for in a lease:  

  • Day rent is due and late fee policies

  • Breakdown of monthly payments

  • How much notice to give before breaking a lease and possible fees associated with it

  • If the lease is valid month to month or for a longer period of time  

  • Security deposit: Process and timeframe to get it returned

  • Subleasing rules 

  • Lease termination clauses 

  • Pet policies 

  • Emergency repair policies 

  • Utility/water allotments and/or responsibilities 

  • Look over miscellaneous fees. (Green fee, valet trash, etc) 

  • Know when inspections can/will happen 

  • Landlord contact information

Landlord & Tenant Relationship

Relationships should be open, productive, and receptive on both sides.

  • They shouldn't be​ tense, disruptive and negative. 

​With good relationships, these things should be able to happen:

  • Landlord and tenant should be able to freely follow up on concerns if there hasn’t been a response within 24-48 hours.  

  • Both sides engage in an active, good working relationship where everyone is respected. 

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Housing Scams

Things that can help you avoid potential scams: 

  • Vet all possible rental properties/companies thoroughly  

  • Be wary of paying rent/deposits through Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, and other mainstream forms of cash transfer.  

  • Money should not be exchanged until a legally binding lease is created. 

  • Look into options like money orders. ALWAYS get a receipt when payment is exchanged.   

  • Ask to tour the residence before signing any documents or paying money. 

  • If possible, reach out to the rental company directly to confirm any tours or ask questions. 

Fair Housing and Housing Codes

Housing Codes

Fair Housing

Fair Housing Law 

  • Forbids discrimination  

    • In selling or renting a house/unit based on ability status, race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin or anyone associated. 

    • In broadcasting preference for certain leasers or buyers. 

    • In participation in a membership or access to listing services, broker associations, or any services, or organizations related to the business of selling or renting dwellings. 

    • Coercion, threats, intimidation, or interference in any person who or is or is helping the exercising of these rights.  

  • Forbids Discrimination to Individuals who Utilize Service Animals: 

    • Documentation can be requested to verify a disability and that the animal will help provide some assistance or emotional support.  

    • A landlord may ask these questions: 

      • "Does the person seeking to use and live with the animal have a disability that is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities?" 

      • "Does the person seeking to use and live with the animal have a disability-related need for the animal?" 

    • A service animal is specifically defined in law and properly trained. 

      • Does not need to have a vest. 

      • Does not need to have documentation. 

Exceptions to the Law:  

  • Owners that do not own/rent more than 3 single family homes. 

  • Properties that doesn’t sell/rent through a facility/organization.  

  • Religion affiliated organizations are exempt entirely.  

  • Except when membership in the religion is restricted because of race, color, or national origin. 

  • Private clubs are exempt when operating outside of commercial purposes. 

  • When the leaser poses a threat of serious harm to themselves, others, or the housing unit. 

  • If the leaser is convicted of making or selling controlled substances. 

  • Laws do not apply to single-sex dormitory property.

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Housing Codes

Reporting and Investigation 

Reporting: ​

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website can be used to submit a complaint. 

  • Complaints must be filed 180 days after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred. 

  • The burden of proof lies on the complainant.  

  • The alleged must file a response within 10 days of receipt of notice. 

  • Complaints can be amended at any time by any party. Conciliation agreements is subject to be approved by the commission.  

  • Within 30 days, the complainant shall be notified of the time limits and choices of forum as well as a copy of the complaint is provided to the alleged. The alleged is also advised of procedural rights and obligations as related to the law.  

  • Within 30 days the Commission will investigate and notify if they will pursue resolution. 

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Investigation: 

  • When an report is filed, it is investigated by the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission "The Commission". 

  • The Commission is granted access to the premises, any records, documents, persons, and any other evidence related to the complaint.  

  • The commission may issue subpoenas to access materials or request the appearance of people. 

  • Up to 5 days after being subpoenaed by the Commission in the investigation, a person my petition to revoke or change the subpoena. 

  • If the subpoena is refused, it may be enforced by the county of where the investigation is taking place. 

  • Witnesses subpoenaed are entitled to witness and mileage fees.  

  • The commission can record, copy, and take testimony to further the investigation. 

  • Investigation must be completed within 100 days of receipt of the complaint.  

  • If otherwise, the complainant and respondent will be notified in writing. 

  • Should the investigation go to trial, voluntary compliance is terminated.  

  • Upon resolution, the investigator must submit a statement of facts disclosed by the investigation along with a recommendation of the closure of the case or that a panel of commissioners hear the complaint if a hearing is requested.  

Eviction Prevention

Eviction Prevention

Tenant and Landlord Rights

Tenant Duties:​

  • Pay rent on time 

  • Keeping the unit reasonably clean and safe and disposing garbage safely 

  • Keeping all plumbing fixtures clean 

  • Properly using all electrical, plumbing, AC/heating, and other appliances.  

  • Not deliberately destroying the unit (including family and guests) 

  • Not disturbing other tenants 

  • Complying with an rules and regulations put in place for safety, welfare, and convenience of tenants.  

  • To not prevent the landlord from  

  • showing the rental unit to potential owners/lessors 

  • Inspecting the premises 

  • Conducting any repairs or improvements 

  • To provide the landlord with a written updated forwarding address after termination of tenancy. 

Tenant Rights: 

  • 24-hour notice of the landlord's intent to enter the unit  

    • between the hours of 8:00am-8:00pm for requested services 

    • Between hours of 9:00am-6:00pm for regularly scheduled services. 

  • Returned security deposit and/or an itemized receipt of the deductions from the security deposit. 

  • If no prepaid rent or security deposits is returned, tenant may pursue any owed money x3 and reasonable attorney fees. 

  • No more than a yearlong lease without a signed lease 

  • Tenant may end the lease at any point by writing with specifics if the landlord fails to keep the unit in a safe livable condition. 

  • Must give a 14-day period for the landlord to fix any problems.  

  • Tenant can go to court to try and recover damages or obtain legal relief.  

  • If unlawfully removed from the unit, tenant can recover an amount equal to 3 months' rent or 2x the actual damages sustained. 

  • If unit is damaged by fire/casualty the tenant may vacate and notify the landlord in writing within 7 days with intention to terminate the rental agreement. 

  • Should they choose to stay, if any part of the unit is unusable, tenants' liability for rent should be reduced 

  • If not responsible for the fire/casualty, tenant is entitled to their security deposit and prepaid rent.

Resources

Resources

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